Hawthorn Trees - Crataegus

Crataegus trees, also known as Hawthron trees, are widely planted for their delightful flowers which are often scented and appear in spring. The flowers are double or single and range from white to pink to red; they smother the branches and add a real burst of floral interest to your garden. The leaves of this species vary in shape and size, but most have lobed leaves and come from thorny branches.

One of the most distinctive features of this species comes with the fruits - named ‘haws’ - and these are small, often rounded, and contain several seeds inside. The fruits can be utilised in cooking and can be made into a jelly or a home-made wine. If left on the tree, the fruits will be enjoyed by the birds; this also plays an important role with ecology as the birds disperse the seeds.

You can plant Hawthorn trees in full sun or partial shade positions and they can tolerate a range of conditions including exposed sites and salt-laden air. These trees make great specimens due to their attractive flowers and bright autumn leaf colour, but they also work well as security trees due to their spiny branches.